Most will also go on to Airborne School before being assigned to an infantry unit.

Since Griest already completed Ranger and Airborne School, she now becomes the first female infantry officer in the Army. But a senior U.S. military official explains that even though she will is now qualified to serve in a combat position, she won’t actually take command of her infantry unit until spring or summer of 2017.

Twenty-two women have volunteered to be infantry or armor officers but none are expected to report to their units or take command until spring or summer of 2017.

Courtney Kube

Courtney Kube is a national security and military reporter for NBC News.